Friday, February 4. 2011

If you are a registered nurse and is currently working as a volunteer nurse, here's your chance to get a real work experience through the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) program - Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service (RN Heals).

The Department of Labor and Employment in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOLE-ARMM) announces the immediate hiring of some 738 registered nurses for deployment to the different health units in the region.

DOLE-ARMM Secretary Myra Alih said that Basilan alone needs 50 nurses for its rural communities. She encourages registered nurses to apply immediately at any DOLE office and present its license, birth certificate, and resume.

RN HEALS is expected to address the shortage of skilled and seasoned nurses in 1,221 rural and un-served or underserved communities for one year.

They will go through learning and development in accordance with all the tasks and functions needed by the project. A certificate of competency and employment will be provided by the DOH, DSWD, and the Professional Regulation Commission to those who have satisfactorily accomplished their standards.

During deployment, the nurses will be granted a nurse salary (allowance) of P8,000 a month by the DOH while the local government unit (LGU) where they are designated will supervise them, ensure their safety and security, and provide modest board and lodging. Also, LGUs are encouraged to give additional allowances and benefits worth at least P2,000 for these nurses.

PhilHealth and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will provide group insurance coverage to the nurses while private corporations are encouraged to chip in thru their available resources.

The recruitment and selection of these RN Heals nurses shall be under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its Regional Offices.

Registered nurses who are physically and mentally fit and happy to serve in their municipalities may apply on the internet at the DOLE website (www.dole.gov.ph) from January 17 to February 4 this year.

Alih, however, disclosed that application is still open for the ARMM until February 10, 2011. Unfortunately for those who completed the 6 months NARS (Nurses Assigned in Rural Areas) program are not anymore eligible for RN HEALS application.

Preference will be given to residents of the municipalities covered by the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of DOH and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or the Conditional Cash Transfer of the DSWD.

Moreover, the Immigration Consultant from Canadian Immigration Consultancy (CIC) said in its blog site that unlike volunteer nurse, experience from this employment program will be given points under Canada's Points System for Federal Skilled Worker program, depending on one's actual job description. (PIA9-BST)